University Church

• There is no parking available at the church
• There are 3 public Blue Badge parking bays on High Street about 100 m from the entrance

High Street - step-free entrance

There is a step-free route from the pavement to the entrance doors.  

• The outer entrance door is held open during opening hours.
• In warmer weather, the inner door from the entrance lobby into the nave is usually held open.
• In colder weather, the inner door is kept closed. There is limited turning space between the doors and the door is manual and heavy to open.

Radcliffe Square - stepped entrance

This entrance has steps and leads into the shop.

• From Radcliffe Square, there are two steps down to a stone path. At the entrance, there are two steps up followed by a further step through the doorway. 
• The first set of steps has handrails on both sides. The steps up to the entrance do not have handrails.
• The step edges do not have contrasting markings.
• The inner entrance door is manual and quite heavy to open.

There are no public toilets in the church

Two accessible toilets are available on request. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to use one.

Ground floor

The accessible toilet is at the back of the church, off the nave.

• A member of staff will need to unlock the door from the nave to the toilet lobby.
• The toilet door opens outwards.
• Transfer space is to the left of the toilet.
• The light switch is behind the door when it is open, which may make it difficult to reach.
• Baby changing facilities are available.

First floor

The accessible toilet is a short distance from the lift. Please ask a member of staff if you need to use the lift.

• The toilet door has keypad access. A member of staff can provide or enter the code for you.
• Equipment stored beside the door restricts how far it can open. The usual clear opening width is 65 cm. This can be increased to 85 cm if required - please ask a member of staff
• The door has a small lever lock and an additional handle above the lock which must also be used to open the door.
• Transfer space is to the left of the toilet.
• Baby changing facilities are available.
• The baby changing unit and radiator may restrict access to the hand dryer. 

Nave, chancel and Adam de Brome Chapel

The nave is the main central space in the church, with a central aisle and aisles on either side.

• There is step-free access around the nave and aisles, with wide circulation space in most areas.
• There is a step up to access most of the pews. One small pew at the back of the church has step-free access.
• There is one step up to the chancel. A portable ramp is available on request.
• The Adam de Brome Chapel has step-free access from the nave and seating on wooden benches without back or arm support.
• The shop and ground floor accessible toilet can be reached step-free from the nave.
• Step-free access to the café and platform lift is via the Catte Street entrance. You will need to leave the church and re-enter from Catte Street.
• A hearing loop is available for services and events.

Tower

Entry to the church is free, but you need a ticket to visit the tower. View pricing information and opening times. 

• Access to the tower is via very steep and narrow steps.

Shop and ticket counter

The shop and ticket counter are just inside the stepped Radcliffe Square entrance.

• Step-free access to the shop is available through the main body of the church from the High Street entrance.
• The shop counter is at standing height.
• You can speak to shop staff if you require assistance.
• A wireless card payment machine is available.

You need a ticket to visit the tower. 

There is stepped access only to the tower. The route includes steep and narrow stairs and a 127-step spiral staircase.

The tower can be busy, and the narrow staircase and walkway can become crowded.

• Stairs to the first floor have contrasting step-edge markings and handrails on both sides.
• There are steep stairs from the first floor to an outside area, followed by external metal stairs with open treads. These stairs have contrasting step-edge markings and handrails on both sides.
• The external stairs can be slippery in wet weather.
• There is a short flight of wooden steps through the historic bell-ringing chamber.
• The main tower staircase is a narrow spiral staircase with 127 stone steps. The treads are narrow and taper towards the centre.
• There is a small handrail on the right as you go up the spiral staircase.
• Lighting levels on the spiral staircase are low.
• The staircase is used in both directions, so you may need to pass other visitors on the narrow stairs.
• At the top, there is a narrow external walkway around the tower with views across Oxford. 

Update coming soon

The raised gallery is at the back of the church. There is stepped access only.

• Stairs on either side provide access to the gallery. They have a handrail on one side and no contrasting step-edge markings.
• The gallery has narrow walkways, with rows of narrow wooden pews arranged on tiered levels.

A platform lift provides step-free access between the ground and first floors.

• Step-free access to the lift is via the Catte Street entrance.
• The lift provides access to the Clore Library and the first-floor accessible toilet.
• The lift cannot be used independently. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to use it.
• The lift platform is 137 cm deep by 78 cm wide.
• The manual door has a clear opening width of 82 cm.
• The door opens on the same side at both floors.

The Clore Library is a first-floor room used for meetings and events. It is not normally open to visitors.

• Access is by stairs or platform lift.
• The stairs have handrails on both sides, except around the landing. There are no contrasting step-edge markings.
• The manual entrance door has a clear opening width of 1 m.
• The room is large, with tables and chairs that can be arranged for different events. Circulation space will depend on the furniture layout.
• The tables have 62 cm clearance underneath, which may not provide sufficient knee space for some wheelchair users.
• There is no hearing support system in the room.

The church is a historic building and can be busy with visitors, particularly at popular times.

• The main church is a large, high space and sounds may echo.
• Services and events may include organ music, bells and other amplified sound.
• The floor in parts of the main church has a high-contrast black and white diamond pattern.
• Lighting varies around the building. Some historic areas, including the tower staircase, have low lighting levels.
• The shop has brightly lit display units and can be busy with visitors.
• The tower has narrow enclosed stairs and can become crowded. The final walkway is narrow and outdoors.
• The Clore Library is used for meetings and events, so noise levels and room layout will vary depending on the event.